DIANE'S CORNER: Tapioca Day

DIANE'S CORNER .. Celebrate Tapioca Day

Tapioca Day is dedicated the starch that is extracted from Manioc, otherwise known as ‘Cassava’. This plant is most commonly known as the source of the translucent beads in Tapioca pudding. But while this is the most commonly known use of this substance, it has cultural significance around the world. It’s origins can be found in Brazil, where the cassava plant is called the mandioca, and it’s extracted starch is called Tapioca.

One little known fact about the Tapioca starch, is that when it’s extracted from the green branched variety of the plant, it is the source of a potent cyanide based poison, and must be processed to remove this before it becomes edible. Once this process is completed it is processed in different ways, which produces the spheres, flakes, or sticks.

Tapioca pudding is an odd looking treat relatively common in the western world. With it’s signature white color and the translucent and mysterious pearls that give it it’s well known texture, it is a form of pudding instantly recognizable to anyone who has encountered it before. One of the most common ‘mysteries’ of this treat is what, exactly, those pearls are within it. To the British Child, it is not uncommonly known as frog spawn a bit of a tribute to the clumps of amphibian eggs it clearly resembles.

Fear not! There are no frog eggs in your tapioca pudding, and the mystery of it’s contents is, in fact, answered right in the name. Those pearls are a carefully molded form of starch extracted from the cassava plant, actually being comprised of flour from this self-same plant. It’s origins can be traced back as 1875, it’s first mention being made in Cassell’s Dictionary of Cooking. It was in this text that the first definition of Tapioca appears, as well as it’s suggestion for inclusion in puddings.

Tapioca day is a wonderful time to try out different recipes and cuisines from around the world that utilize this incredibly versatile substance. In places like Colombia and Venezuela, the traditional flatbread known as Arepa is often made with tapioca flour rather than cornmeal, and judging from the Caribbean name for them, casabe, this method probably predates the use of cornmeal.

Tapioca is often used as a thickener for different dishes, being found in gravies, soups, dumplings and stews. It is also used in the brewing of alcohol, with varieties of it being available from all over the world. In Brazil you can find tiquira, kasiri heralds from Africa, and masato is a flavorful tapioca based liquor from Peru.

Tapioca Day gives you the opportunity to broaden your culinary horizons, and try a new spin on domestic dishes using this substance. With a little research you can find flavors from all over the world. In the Congo you’ll even find it being used for fish dishes, eaten with rice and plaintain paste to bulk out the dish.

A dish made with Tapioca pearls that’s growing in popularity in the western world comes from Taiwan. In the early 2000’s Bubble Tea parlors started popping up all over the world, providing this unique and delicious drink to a whole new clientelle. The flavors are delightful, and there’s a satisfying texture to be found when you bite down on the often chewy ‘bubbles’ of Tapioca.

Let Tapioca Day serve as a reminder that there are great undiscovered ingredients for dishes that can add some variety to your menu. Cooking Tapioca is just the start! You can find it showing up as crisps, served in a manner similar to french fries or fried potato wedges, and even grated like coconut over a dessert. Get out there and try out new Tapioca based treats on Tapioca Day, and find yourself on a culinary adventure!

this bag looks stoked to be here

JOKE OF THE DAY

A Freudian Slip...

...is when you say one thing but really mean your mother.

these carrots are embarrassingly in love

WORD OF THE DAY

dobber

MEANING:

noun:
1. An informer.
2. In cricket, a bowler, especially a slow bowler.
3. A float for a fishing line.
4. A large marble.

ETYMOLOGY:

For 1, 2: From dob (to inform, to put down, to throw).
For 3: From Dutch dobber (float, cork).
For 4: From dob, a variant of dab (lump).
Earliest documented use: 1836.

USAGE:

“Members of the public regularly reported breaches of regulations to authorities. They identified those who made ‘disloyal’ utterances or had Germanic-sounding surnames, and denounced those who displayed unpatriotic behaviour. To be a dobber was to assert one’s patriotism.”
Philip Deery; How Our Government Clamped Down on Civil Liberties During the First World War; Sydney Morning Herald (Australia); May 23, 2020.

“I am wiser now and sincerely hope one day to see the emergence of a dobber to rival the great Derek Shackleton, of Hampshire, who took 100 wickets in a season 20 times despite, or possibly because of, a pre-match warm-up that consisted of smoking a cigarette while combing his hair.”
Harry Pearson; How We Miss Alderman and the Trusty Trundlers; The Daily Telegraph (London, UK); May 14, 2013.

There's something drowning with existential despair in this apple

TODAY'S ARTIST
thanks, Natalie

Ma Lin (simplified Chinese: 马麟; traditional Chinese: 馬麟; pinyin: Mǎ Lín; Wade–Giles: Ma Lin) (ca. 1180 – after 1256^[1])
was a Chinese court painter during the Song dynasty active during the early to mid 13th century.^[2] He was the son of the famous Chinese painter Ma Yuan,^[3] from whom he learned the art of painting.^[4]

IDIOM OF THE DAY

What does 'Back to the wall' mean?

Meaning: If you have your back to the wall, you are in a difficult situation with very little room for manoeuvre.

this plug should really stop worrying, poor guy

DAILY SQUEEK

If You Were Born Today, June 28:
While you enjoy a good debate and tend to bounce ideas off other people frequently, ultimately you make your own choices and do your own thing. You come alive in partnership, and perhaps ironically, “find yourself” as an individual more readily if you are partnered, but you do need personal space. You are very perceptive and a natural leader. While you can be dominant and wilful, you are also expert at seeing both sides to any given situation. Famous people born today:
1491 Henry VIII, King of England (1509-47) who separated the Church of England from the Roman Catholic Church, born in London (d. 1547)

1703 John Wesley, English Christian theologian and co-founder of the Methodist movement, born in Epworth, England (d. 1791)

1902 Richard Rodgers, American composer (Rodgers & Hammerstein), born in NYC, New York (d. 1979)

1926 Mel Brooks [Melvin Kaminsky], American actor, comedian and director (Get Smart, Blazing Saddles, Spaceballs), born in NYC, New York

1948 Kathy Bates, American Academy Award-winning actress (Misery), born in Memphis, Tennessee

1971 Elon Musk, American entrepreneur and inventor (SpaceX, Tesla, Paypal), born in Pretoria, South Africa

(Not So) TOTALLY USELESS FACTS OF THE DAY

We're closer to the year the television show "The Jetsons" was set (2062), than the original air date of the series (1962).

Are you a pluviophile? If you enjoy being in the rain and find peace when playing in the rain, then you are one. By definition a pluviophile is any organism that thrives in heavy rainfall conditions.

Each year, the average person walks the distance from New York to Miami.

READERS INFO
1.
1997 -

The bald eagle was removed from the U.S. list of endangered and threatened species.

2.
June 29, 1974 -
While on tour with the Kirov (now Mariinsky) Ballet in Toronto, Mikhail Baryshnikov defected from the Soviet Union, citing artistic reasons, and he later settled in the United States.

3.
Coronavirus Style by Sylvia, CAN DO Correspondent
Did you know?

The winter of 1932 was so cold that Niagara Falls

froze completely solid.

There are more chickens

than people in the world.

Winston Churchill
was born in a ladies' room during a dance.

  Women blink

nearly twice as much as men.

you're a crepe but you're sad

COFFEE
thanks, Ella

PICTURES OF THE DAY

Women dressed as geisha in Kyoto, Japan. They are wearing traditional kimonos and geta. Geisha (芸者) are traditional Japanese artist-entertainers. Geisha were very common in the 18th and 19th centuries, and are still in existence today, although their numbers are dwindling. The geisha tradition evolved from the taikomochi or hōkan, similar to court jesters. Geisha were traditionally trained from young childhood although modern geisha begin their training, which remains extremely long and difficult, at much older age.

Chachalacascape (USA)

Though common enough in Costa Rica, the relatively drab gray-headed chachalaca is a bird that tends to be overlooked. The loud cha-cha-laca calls of groups of the chicken-sized birds are, however, a familiar noise in the forest. One morning, a chachalaca was revealed in a new light. LSilhouetted against the overcast sky, it had become one with the architecture of the cecropia tree, creating a picture not to be missed. Seconds later, the bird flew off to rejoin its flock nearby.

These switches are plotting something big

knit

thanks, Leah

Raspberry Racer

knit
thanks, Charlotte

Sunshine Pillow

knit

Model kids

knit

Painted Canvas Poncho

knit

Cardigan

someone should check on this backpack

CROCHET PATTERNS OF THE DAY

thanks, Valerie, Canadian Correspondent

Easiest Crochet Ear Savers for Masks

Desert Diamonds Crochet Pouch Pattern

This manhole seems quizzical

crochet
thanks, Laura

Kaleidoscope Granny Square

crochet
thanks, Karen

Rings Bracelet

crochet

Summer Bag

crochet

Shawl

crochet

Celtic Weave Dishcloth

this house might be laughing, but he's empty inside

RECIPE

thanks, Shelley, New York Food Correspondent

Lu’s Bloody Mary Recipe

This rumpled shirt has weirdly dashing style

PANTRY RECIPE

thanks, Debbie

The Best (and Easiest!) Migas Recipe

I'm not sure I'm ready to get this personal with my local produce

CROCKPOT RECIPE

thanks, Tina

Coconut Curry Recipe

Why doesn't this backpack have anyone to sit with at lunch??

VEGAN/ VEGETARIAN RECIPE

Both vegetarian and vegan diets may provide health benefits, including reduced body weight, lower cholesterol levels, and decreased risk of cardiovascular disease. However, it is important for vegetarians and vegans to ensure that they are meeting all of their nutritional requirements.

thanks, Alice

Vegan Clementine Cupcakes

WHY IS THERE A DOG WITHIN A DOG HERE???

COPYCAT RECIPE

thanks, Jenny

Applebees Copycat Queso Blanco

would cuddle this paw/teddy bear

RETRO RECIPE

thanks, Ann

Brown Sugar Pound Cake

According to this typewriter, you're not working hard enough

SWEETS RECIPE .. Independence Day

thanks, Jane

Patriotic Fruit Pizza with Pecan Shortbread Crust

this lil security cam is NOT messing around

ICE POP

thanks, Michelle

Our Root Beer Float Ice Pops are the Nostalgic Treat Your Summer Needs

this truck is watching, so don't even try with your tailgating

ADULT COLORING

it looks like everyone's getting into the Halloween spirit

FUN

Can you find the hat in this picture that does not have a rabbit inside it?

ANSWER:

fourth row from the top!

boo breakfast

CRAFTS

thanks, Jeri

How to Make a Stress Ball

Why is there a puppy inside this banana slice??

CHILDREN'S CORNER

thanks, Sonja

Plant A Rainbow

it can be scary out there

PUZZLE

Canal Boat Grass Jigsaw Puzzle

boo happy hour

WORD SEARCH

alien
ashore
assistant

babble

cannon
captain
check
crumb
cuss

discomfort
discover

event

magic
mere
misconduct
miss
music

number

opinion
oppressive

page
piece
pizza

quaint
queer

scrap
sense
shame
shred
slum
soul
swift

today
tonic

vending
virus

watch

it's always nice to have someone to ~face it~ together

SUDOKU .. very hard

solution:

chewing on laundry

ICE BREAKER

thanks, Kris

You can use 'ice breaker questions' to build a rapport, enabling strangers to engage in back and forth conversion. With a little practice and possibly a beer or two, you’ll be breaking more ice than the Titanic.